San Andreas, CA…After a wet winter, warming temperatures are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. This suspension takes effect at 8:00 a.m., Monday, June 11th, 2018 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

“It is essential that residents remain prepared.” said Chief Josh White, Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief. “While the suspension of residential debris burning is in effect, I encourage property owners to use alternative disposal methods.”

The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.

For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www_ReadyForWildfire.orci.
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